The dining hall was already warm with candlelight and the murmur of voices when I followed Tomas inside. The long table gleamed under the flicker of gold, silverware aligned with the kind of precision that came from too many years of court formality. Callum was leaning back in his chair, smiling at something Tristan had said, and Derek sat across from him with a glass of red wine in his hand.
Tomas inclined his head toward the open chair beside Callum. "Sit here." His words were quiet, the tone carrying the weight of an order.
I slid my gaze from Callum to Derek. "I think…" I stepped around Callum, and the edge of the table, to get to the open seat next to Derek. "That I'd like to sit here tonight."
Callum looked faintly amused. Derek's brow lifted in something that was almost a challenge. Across the table, Tomas's face stilled. His eyes narrowed just slight enough that I thought I might have imagined it.
"As you wish." His tone said everything his expression didn't.
Raelyn, seated further down, glanced between us but didn't comment. She wore that aggravating little smirk she always did when I was doing something unexpected. Like she was waiting to win a bet I wasn't sure had been placed yet.
I settled into the chair, smoothing my skirt, then reached for the bread and tore off a piece.
Derek leaned into me. "Is it wise to choose me over Callum? I'm not usually a good dinner companion."
"That can always change, Derek. Besides, we all need our routines shaken up every once in a while." I answered, letting my tone warm just enough to suggest I was enjoying the choice.
He studied me for a long second before nodding. "To what do I owe the honor?"
"I was told to be charming tonight. If anyone could use a dose of charming, it's you." I glanced at him beneath my lashes, before passing him the bread basket. My fingers brushed his as he took it. The contact was brief, but it caught his attention.
"Charming." He repeated. "I wasn't aware that was a skill you had."
I gave him a small tilt of my lips. "It's probably not, but who knows? Maybe I'll impress you enough to go a little easier on me in training."
"Unlikely." But he smiled back.
The first course arrived, and conversation scattered across the table. I leaned slightly toward Derek as I set my glass down. "Speaking of training, you train harder than anyone else here." I said. "Do you ever stop?"
He blinked, and then narrowed his eyes slightly. "You've been watching me train?"
"I notice things." I answered, letting my eyes hold his for a heartbeat longer than necessary. "You move like someone who never doubts his footing."
He tilted his head. "And you talk like someone who is trying to get under my skin."
"Maybe I am." I picked up my fork, pushing food around on my plate, shooting him a quick glance. "Is it working?"
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he took a deliberate sip of wine before setting his glass down with care. "Possibly."
Raelyn laughed lightly from her seat. "Careful, Derek. You don't want to encourage her."
Derek's eyes did not leave mine. "I think I can handle her."
"Really?" I huffed softly. "Handle me how? Gently, maybe?"
The flush that crept up his neck put an answering burn in my cheeks. I took a sip of the wine in front of me before focusing on my food.
The next course was on the table, and I let the conversation lull before leaning closer again. "If you wanted to, you could ask me why I chose to sit here tonight."
He arched a brow. "And if I did, would I get an honest answer?"
"I might tell you, for a price." I tilted my head, letting a soft smile tug at my lips.
He answered my smile with a smirk of his own. "Do you enjoy games, little fox?"
"Only the ones I'm confident that I'll win."
His hand rested on the table beside his plate. As I reached for the wine jug, I let my fingertips graze the back of his hand as though it were an accident. He stilled, his eyes narrowing slightly. I thought I might've went too far, but the hitch in his breath had me wanting to continue anyway.
"You are bold tonight." He murmured.
"Would you prefer I be meek?"
He shook his head once. "Not at all."
We ate in a rhythm that had nothing to do with food. I would draw him in with a question or a glance, then pull away to respond to Raelyn or Tristan. He would wait, patient, then draw me back with a remark just sharp enough to demand my full attention again.
At one point, he reached for the salt at the same time I did. Our fingers closed over it together, and neither of us moved to let go.
"Do you plan to share?" I asked.
"That depends. Do you plan to tell me why you are sitting here?"
"Maybe later." I replied, easing the salt from his grip with a faint smile.
By the time dessert arrived, Callum was watching us openly, and Tristan's mouth had curved into something suspiciously like amusement. Tomas had not spoken once since I sat down, but I could feel the weight of his eyes on the side of my face.
I turned to Derek one last time as the plates were cleared. "Thank you for the company. It was unexpectedly pleasant." I let my hand rest lightly over his for a moment.
His smile was small and slow. "I am not sure I should be thanking you back."
I rose before Tomas could speak, sliding my chair neatly into place. "I hope you all have a good night." My words were pitched for the room, but I kept my eyes on Derek.
I didn't look at Tomas when I left, but I knew without question that he tracked me all the way out of the room.